Happy Christmas in July! Welcome to the 8th blog in this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway, which runs July 12-23, 2021. At the bottom of each author’s blog post, you will find the secret words. Write them all down and provide the provide the entire answer on this Google form.
Note: You must grab all the secret words from every author in the Christmas in July Reader Giveaway to be eligible to win a $400 Amazon gift card. At the end of this blog post is a link to the next blog, and so on, to the final blog post (18 in all). At each blog stop, the author will also give away copy or copies of their featured Christmas book.
-The Littlest Bell Ringer, a middle grade novel-
Let me introduce you to Cassie. She’s in fifth grade, is the new girl in town and stutters.
Moving from North Carolina to Michigan was hard enough if her dad was around. Sadly, he’d stepped on a hidden land mine in Afghanistan and his legs blew off, sending him back to a hospital in the states. He would send her letters but the rehab institution where he stayed was across the country and her mom had no extra money in the budget for trips.
Instead Mom works all the time. Her grandfather and grandmother, Opa and Oma, (Dutch for grandfather and grandmother) try to help her break in to New Netherland’s fifth grade class but when you are a stutter you’re guaranteed to be made fun of at school.
Luckily, when Cassie meets Louise Marie, she sees her school life start to turn around. Even one friend can make the difference.
But it wasn’t until Cassie decided to be a Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringer like her grandmother that Cassie discovers a secret. Not just any old secret but a big big secret that will change her life forever.
My story has themes of bullying, overcoming loneliness, and the determination to do the right thing. It’s aimed at third through fifth graders but adults have also enjoyed the story.
And If you sign up for my newsletter, I will send you a special story to enjoy. Here’s the link: https://www.carolgstratton.com/ Leave a comment and you will be entered into the drawing for a free book!
Now, it’s time to for the secret word: Welcome
Save the secret word, and when you reach the final blog, enter all the secret words on this form for a chance to win a $400 Amazon gift card!
Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Terri Reed and her Christmas book Murder Under the Mistletoe. You can find it at this link. Remember, this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway will end on July 23 at 8 PM EST!
Grace says
It’s thoughtful of you to include the problem of stuttering in your novel. Not many people address it. God bless you .
Carol Stratton says
Thanks for stopping by. My character, Cassie, becomes a better person by overcoming her fears. I hope it encourages some young people.
Tammy Howell says
We all say we need to stop bullying yet knowing where to start is hard. We pray we raise our kid(s) right but when they are away from you who knows. Thank you for doing something!
Carol Stratton says
Oh thank you so much for stopping by. Kids can be harsh but sometime if they see themselves in a story they become more sensitive to others. I just saw a wonderful movie called Head of the Class about a man who became a 2nd grade teacher in spite of have Tourette Syndrome.
Shelia Hall says
we should all try to stop bullying if we can.
Carol Stratton says
Yes, teaching our children by example is the best way. In my story my character becomes a stronger person as she deals with the stuttering. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Chris Henderson says
Love the idea of including the Salvation Army kettle when stores want to stop them.
Carol Stratton says
Me too, Chris. It’s sad to see them disappear and one of the reasons I wanted to do a story around the bell ringers. Thanks for stopping by.
Debra J Pruss says
Thank you so much for sharing a middle grade book. God bless you.
Carol Stratton says
Thank you for stopping by. Middle grade novels are fun because readers are at the age where they are becoming aware of the world around them. But I’ve had good responses from adult readers too.
Ali Floyd says
This book makes my heart happy! It sounds like such a sweet book!
Carol Stratton says
Thank you. I loved the idea of a brave young girl trying to earn money for the Salvation Army. I hope it will inspire kids to be bold no matter what obstacles are in your path. The Lord is always present in time of need! I appreciate your stopping by, Ali. And by the way I love your name as my last two books had Ally as the main character.
Stephanie H. says
What a wonderful story to read for people of all ages. I would love to read this book to see what happens to Cassie and her family.
Carol Stratton says
Stephanie, I hope you do read it! I have a surprise ending that kids enjoy. It’s not a lighthearted book but I add lots of humor. Thanks for stopping by.
Kristen says
Your story sounds like a darling tale. I love that you made the setting in Michigan, where I’m from…not many stories are set in Michigan! I also love that you shined a light on stuttering and the role it plays in school with other children. I was an Army Brat, so I was always the new girl and I was terribly shy and stuttered when put in the spotlight. I can absolutely understand what little Cassie is going through! I got over my stuttering by reading aloud at home, it didn’t matter what I was reading, I read it aloud and it helped me gain the confidence when speaking in front of people…of course now, being a mom and reading to my son and being his advocate, I’ve gained so much more confidence and inner strength.
Thank you for the chance at your incredible giveaway!!
Carol Stratton says
Kristen, I spent many years in West Michigan and the town of New Netherlands is modeled after Holland, Michigan. It’s a beautiful state and three of my books (Littlest Bell Ringer, Lake Surrender, and Deep End of the lake take place there. Thank you for sharing what gave you confidence to overcome your stuttering. That’s amazing. And I’m sure you’re very resilient after growing up in a military family!
Kristen says
I love Michigan…winters and all. It’s a beautiful state that often gets overlooked. Because my father was in the Army, I actually lived in Europe, in several different countries, including The Netherlands and Germany. So when I visited Holland, Michigan, I was taken back to that time and it made me smile and remember the good times! And Frankenmuth, it’s very well done to remind me of Germany.
Carol Stratton says
Yes, Michigan is a beautiful state. It’s the perfect place to take readers on a literary vacation!
Carol Stratton says
Yes, Michigan is a beautiful state. It’s the perfect place to take readers on a literary vacation!
S says
This story sound very interesting. I was picked on in school.
Thank you!
Carol Stratton says
I’m sorry you had a hard time in school. One of the lessons Cassie learns is how to be strong when people are against you. BTW, I was also picked on as I had very thick glasses. So glad when I could switch to contacts! Thanks for stopping by. Merry July!
Jill Tatum says
Merry Christmas in July! Thank you for sharing with your readers. I am looking forward to reading your book. It sounds like a great book for kids to read.
Carol Stratton says
Hi Jill,
I appreciate you stopping by. My book deals with hard subjects with some humor thrown in. Sometimes children can learn best from stories.
Audrey Stewart says
I subscribed to your newsletter. Thank you for this giveaway.
Carol Stratton says
Thank you Audrey for stopping by.
Donise Cinnamon says
Sounds like a great book and I pray that lots of youth get to read it. Even if it only changes one person’s perspective on how to treat others who are different it was worth all your work to write it.
Carol Stratton says
Donise,
Thanks for stopping by. I do hope it blesses kids.
Lelia (Lucy) Reynolds says
Thank you for sharing. Blessings
Carol Stratton says
Thank you for stopping by, Lucy.
Melinda Germaine says
Would love to win a copy of your story. It sounds like a good one that I could share with my young great nieces and nephews.
Carol Stratton says
Melinda,
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Linda Moffitt says
Sounds like a Sweet Heartwarming Read Thank You for Being Part of this Fun Blog Hop
Carol Stratton says
Thank you for stopping by!
Sabrina Templin says
I moved around a lot growing up so changed schools soooo many times and was made fun of for various things. Thank you for writing this book. MErry CHristmas in July! 😀
Carol Stratton says
My husband and I moved a lot with our children so I always have had a heart for the new kid in class. Thanks so much for stopping by.